033 / Kedung Banteng, Jombang, East Java
Mrs. Wiwik left behind Surabaya’s big city life and office job and moved to her husband’s village to pursue the dream of helping others. First she noticed that the kids have no other hobby than mimicking dangdut songs and that they only have access to boring textbooks.
She decided to set up a small library in her house located in the middle of rice fields. The books were donated by her friends and have had a great success. Moreover, she transformed her backyard into a fish pond, let the kids fish there and sell their catches. She also teaches them how to process banana to make banana crisps and help them sell the products. She helps some underprivileged children to go back to school.
In addition to that, Mrs Wiwik has been campaigning for organic farming since toxic pesticides are used widely in this rural area, constantly polluting the soil and water as the result. She provides local farmers with knowledge of how to cultivate their land organically. So far only one farmer has switched to organic but she will never give up.
This Eco-Education Center is entirely funded by a kind-hearted donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
Thanks to implementing Eco-Activities regularly and showing her engagement in the Green Guru on-line group, Mrs. Wiwik Subandiah was chosen to join the Green Educators Course in Bali, October 2017.